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Science is often distinguished from other domains of human culture by its uniquely progressive nature. However, while it is broadly accepted that science does progress, exactly what constitutes scientific progress remains a subject of philosophical debate.
Historically, the Enlightenment championed a purely cumulative view of scientific knowledge. This was challenged in the latter 20th century by accounts of scientific revolutions, paradigm shifts, incommensurability and so on. Today, the landscape is largely dominated by competing theories of first-order cognitive progress. These range from epistemic and semantic views to functionalist and noetic accounts. Deeper meta-normative questions have also been raised about whether science possesses objective aims at all.
As we look to the future of science, given its large impact on society, understanding the underlying nature of scientific progress, its normative basis, how to measure it etc. are more critical than ever. This conference seeks to bring together philosophers of science, practising scientists and other interested parties to explore the conceptual foundations of scientific progress and how these frameworks inform the current state and future trajectory of scientific inquiry.
Call for Papers
Call for Papers
Suggested Topics and Guiding Questions
Suggested Topics and Guiding Questions
We welcome submissions from a broad range of perspectives on scientific progress. Possible questions and topics for exploration include, but are not limited to:
The Nature of Scientific Progress
What specifically does progress consist in?
How does the adoption of false or idealised theories interact with progress?
What roles do practical knowledge, methodological refinement, and technological capability play in scientific progress?
Meta-Normativity and the Aims of Science
Does science have aims? If so, what is their normative nature and origin?
What are the standards for evaluating scientific progress?
How can/should we define "good" or "rational" science?
Are there hypothetically rational cognitive aims that make certain scientific changes objectively progressive?
Measuring and Indicating Progress
Can/should we disentangle cognitive progress from the economical, professional, educational, or purely methodical developments within the scientific community? How?
What role can quantitative science indicators (e.g., publication counts, citation indices, impact factors) play in measuring scientific progress?
Scientific Change and Future Trajectories
Do/Can concepts like reduction, unification, correspondence, belief revision etc. help us model the transition between successive scientific theories?
In what ways do/should external social, cultural, and ethical values influence the direction, funding, and normative evaluation of scientific development?
What are effective ways to organise research activities, methodologies, peer-review systems etc. to optimise future scientific progress?
Submission Guidelines
Submission Guidelines
We invite abstracts of maximum 500 words prepared for blind review. Submissions should clearly articulate the paper's central argument, its relation to existing literature on scientific progress, including three representative citations, and its relevance to the conference themes.
The body of the email should contain your name, role and affiliation. We may be able to provide (partial) travel support for selected applicants. Please indicate if you would like to be considered.
Format: Anonymised PDF or Word document
Email submissions to: pocfs@ln.edu.hk
Notification of Acceptance: Early September
For any questions or further inquiries, please contact Patric Harting at patrichagenharting@ln.hk.
Confirmed Speakers
Confirmed Speakers
Finnur DÉLLSEN, University of Iceland, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, University of Oslo
Jacob STEGENGA, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
More to come...
Venue
Venue
The conference is planned to be held at the Lingnan@West Kowloon at Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
Registration
Registration
Registration will open in early autumn.
Funding
Funding
This conference is fully supported by a Senior Research Fellowship award from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong SAR, China (‘Philosophy of Contemporary and Future Science’, Project no. SRFS2122-3H01).
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